When Hardy, a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) trained detector dog, sniffed out a roasted pig head in traveler baggage at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International airport early this month, it underscored …
Farm Bill a Topic on the Campaign Trail
Vice President Mike Pence made several campaign stops last week, including locations in Kansas and Iowa. Going into the trip, a spokesman confirmed that the vice president would bring up …
Perdue Announces Funding for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will issue $9.4 million in grants (PDF, 750 KB) to provide enhanced training, outreach, and technical assistance to …
Agriculture Leaders Unite to Oppose USDA Relocation Plans
A coalition of agriculture leaders is urging the Trump Administration to reconsider a plan to reorganize and relocate Department of Agriculture agencies. USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced in August that …
USDA: Honey Bee Colony Number Steady
Elevated winter colony losses have not resulted in enduring declines in colony numbers, according to new data released by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Instead, the number of U.S. honey …
Court to Hear OTA Suit Against USDA Organic Livestock Rule Withdraw
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia last week agreed to hear a challenge by the Organic Trade Association against the Department of Agriculture. OTA is challenging the …
Most Americans Confused About GMOs
A new survey by GMO Answers shows many Americans remain confused over genetically modified organisms, and that this lack of knowledge may be driving overall uncertainty and discomfort. However, the …
USDA Back to The Drawing Board on GIPSA
When the U.S. Ag Department (USDA) sets its 2019 regulatory agenda, it will deal with the unsettled matter of rules governing interactions between contract producers and meatpackers. USDA is looking …
September USDA Stocks Report Bearish
The USDA reported larger than expected inventories of corn, soybeans, and wheat in its September 1st Stocks Report, which analysts call bearish for the markets. The corn supplies came in …
Perdue Defends USDA Reorganization Plan that Moves Offices Out of DC
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue this week defended every aspect of his proposal to move some Agriculture Department offices out of the Washington Area. USDA has plans to place the Economic …
USDA Details Trade Damage Estimate Calculations
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue released a detailed accounting of how the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) calculated estimated damage from trade disruptions. USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist …
Senate Ag Leaders Question USDA Reorganization
Leaders of the Senate Agriculture Committee are expressing concerns over the Department of Agriculture’s reorganization plans. Senators Pat Roberts and Debbie Stabenow wrote Secretary Sonny Perdue recently, noting that stakeholders …
USDA Partners with Communities to Support Opioid Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Opportunities in Rural America
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is partnering with rural communities in 22 states to support opportunities for opioid …
USDA to Implement Regulatory Reforms to Increase Access to Capital in Rural Areas
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that USDA is hosting listening sessions to solicit feedback on a plan to increase access to capital in rural areas …